Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath are getting ready for their return to the road in New Zealand and Australia this spring, followed by an expected North American trek in the summer. The band is making their first extended tour run since guitarist Tony Iommi was diagnosed with lymphoma and underwent chemotherapy last year, and Osbourne says his Sabbath bandmate is doing quite well.

He tells Australia's Rip It Up, "Tony's fine, but he can only go out on the road for six weeks at a time as he has to have infusions or some s--- for his immune system. I was amazed that during his chemotherapy he was still writing songs. My heart goes out to him, because when Sharon had cancer a few years back, she was so sick from chemotherapy she could barely get out of bed. It’s like having a football kick to the nuts. The chemotherapy is worse than the cancer – Sharon was like [the possessed child Regan in] 'The Exorcist,' having seizures all the time. Tony is doing really well though.”

Speaking of his own health, Osbourne discussed trying to stay in shape and even recalled a dalliance with veganism. "I tried it, but I didn't last more than a week or two," he reveals. "I'm eating more meat now than ever! The only meat I haven't touched is the horse they're eating over here. I'll eat anything."

Though the idea seemed like a good one, he admits it didn't fit with who he is. "How can the guy who bit the head off several creatures suddenly turn full circle and now live on vegetables? That doesn't sound right," says Osbourne. "I was Satan last week. Now I'm on some f---ing do-it-yourself gardening experience." Osbourne says he's now on a low carb, high protein diet and he exercises constantly, which has helped him shed 30 pounds.

To read the rest of Osbourne's interview with Rip It Up, which addresses his desire to work with songstress Adele, his thoughts on religion and teaming up with producer Rick Rubin on Sabbath's '13' album, click here. Black Sabbath's '13' album will drop on June 11.